Fresh on the heels of two human rights setbacks, there’s never been a better time to celebrate the T in LGBT than at this year’s Trans-Unity Pride!

by Ashley Love

The first disappointment came last fall when trans people were written out of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act—which originally protected both sexual orientation and gender identity expression in the work place, but was amended to make the bill more palatable to lawmakers. Then, two weeks ago, Dr. Kenneth Zucker, a proponent of reparative therapy on transgender youth, was appointed to head a committee revising the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the mental health profession’s go-to reference book for mental disorders—making it more challenging to have the current assessment of transgender as a “mental disorder” evolve to what many see as a physical condition.

But, don’t think the trans community is taking these disappointments lying down! Not since the Stonewall Riots have trans folk been so mobilized, viewing these blows as a blessing in disguise by presenting a chance to educate society and erase negative stigmas, which can cause unemployment and less-than-nurturing healthcare. Never before has it been so important to attend Trans-Unity Pride!

The event, taking place May 29-June 1 at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Ed Gould Plaza in Hollywood, is not only the world’s largest transgender festival, but also one of the only local annual transgender-specific events that is not solely focused on providing prevention/education services. Instead, hundreds of trans folk from the entire spectrum of the gender variant community—transsexual, transgender, gender-queer, intersex and cross-dressing individuals, and their friends, partners and families—come together in a substance-free event that focuses on the positive aspects of living with the trans experience.

“To me, feeling proud of being transgender means that I do not apologize for being who I am. My pride helps me love the awe-inspiring range of human experience in our world. I feel blessed to have experience that helps fuel my activism against discrimination and injustice,” explains Kalil Cohen, a local trans activist and artist who will be participating in Trans-Unity Pride.

The festivities kick off Thursday, May 29, with an art show and open mic from 7-9 p.m. called “Transcending Boundaries.” On Friday, May 30, 21-and-over folks can meet at Akbar for a Black “T” Party and Trans-Unity fundraiser from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Everyone is encouraged to wear black. On Saturday, May 31, at 10 a.m., there will be a march and rally along Santa Monica Boulevard from the Village to Plummer Park. After the rally, there will be a sponsored brunch. That evening, the ninth Annual Siren Awards—hosted by the glamorous Che’la Chanel and RiKu—will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Renberg Theater, followed by dancing under the stars with DJ Rio in the Village courtyard. The event comes to a close on Sunday, June 1, after a day of vendors, workshops, guest speakers and trans short films, all taking place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Now in its ninth year, the Trans-Unity Pride has grown substantially since its modest beginnings in 2000. Throughout the years, former keynote speakers of this event have included California state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, pioneering transgender rights and workers movement advocate Les Fienberg, progressive transgender leader and executive director of the Transgender Law Center Mason Davis, trans activist Kellii Trombacco, spiritual guide and trans woman Valerie Spencer, Maria Ramon and many others. This collective effort, with many local community based organizations contributing to the planning and support, is a safe place where people can come together and be among people who truly understand and support them.

“Trans Pride means never having to be ashamed to be our true selves, no matter what anyone, even those in our own community, does to try to make us feel otherwise!” says Nori Herras, a transgender service provider.

Trans-Unity Pride takes place May 29-June 1 at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Ed Gould Plaza. For more information, go to www.lagaycenter.org.